Mindanao Conflict: Path to Peace and Self-Determination

1. “CIVIL SOCIETY BRIEFING”Perspective on Peace, Conflict and the ASEAN Hotel Akmani, Jakarta, IndonesiaMay 26, 2010 ADBULBASIT R. BENITO Executive Director BangsamoroCenter For Just Peace

2. THE CASE OF MINDANAO MINDANAO

3. PERSPECTIVE ON CONFILCT IN MINDANAO

4. GOVERMENT FORCES MORO NATIONAL/ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT(MNLF) (sovereignty based) COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES(CPP/NPA) (ideology based) ABU SAYYAF/JEMAAH ISLAMIYA (JI) (terrorist) CRIMINAL ELEMENTS (criminality) POLITICAL WARLORDS (election related conflicts)

5. SCOPE OF PRESENTATION MILF GRP GRP – MILF CONFLICT

6. PERSPECTIVES ON PEACE

7. PEACE THE RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION OF THE MORO PEOPLE

8. PEACE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE MORO TO DETERMINE THEIR POLITICAL STATUS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT

9. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT OF ANCESTRAL DOMAIN (MOA-AD) • The initialed but unsigned documents of the Government Peace Panel and the MILF Panels on July 27, 2008 in • Kuala Lumpur Malaysia • Restores self-determination and sovereignty of the Bangsamoro People in their own homeland.

10. AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM) • was created through legislation via Republic Act No. 9054. • Was imposed on the MNLF that has absolutely no participation in its creation in the case of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) • It was even agreed that the GRP will work out for MOA – AD legitimacy .

11. UNPLEASESANT EXPERIENCES OF THE BANGSAMORO PEOPLE STRONG BIAS & PREJUDICE OF THE CHRISTIAN MAJORITY TOWARDS THE MUSLIMS • Filipinas Foundation Study (1973) • Muslim-Filipinos were the “least likeable” ethnic group. • 54% of respondents had unfavorable comments towards Muslims • Minoritization of the Bangsamoro in their own homeland • In 1918, the Muslims were dominant in Mindanao but government settlement and development programs reduced them, together with the Indigenous peoples, minority in their homeland. • Philippine Human Development Report (2005) • 33% to 39% of Filipinos are biased against Muslims • 46% of Christian population would choose Christian male worker and 40% Christian female domestic helper. Only 4% will choose a Muslim male worker and 7% Muslim female domestic helper. • In Metro Manila 57 percent opt for residence with higher rent but far from a Muslim community.

12. THE BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE TRIGGERS THE ARMED CONFLICT • DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW.

13. THE BANGSAMORO STRUGGLE TRIGGERS THE ARMED CONFLICT • Ilonggo Land Grabbers Association (ILAGA), government backed Anti - Muslim Militia

14. FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER BASIC SERVICES & NEEDED DEVELOPMENT Muslim areas continue to suffer the highest poverty incidence.

15. CONFLICT RESULTED TO: • 50,000 deaths of civilian and uniformed men. • 2 million refugees wallowing in evacuation camps. • 535 mosques destroyed. • 200 schools. • 35 cities and towns destroyed.

16. PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT SPEND • 76 Billion from 1970-1996 • 6 million in 2000 all-out war against MILF ECONOMIC OUTPUT LOST • $2 Billion to $3 Billion from 1970-2001. • Economist peg the war cost was about 5 Billion to 7.5 Billion annually

17. THE EFFECT SECURITY • There has been an incentive for many to join vigilante groups because the private provision of security is without effective public oversight. • There is inadequate security because of weak rule of law and more blatantly ignored the numerous human rights violation

18. THE EFFECT GOVERNANCE • It hampers transparency in running the affairs of the government. • It hinders eradication of corruption and toughens political patronage

19. CONFLICT • Is being used as an excuse for the inefficient delivery of social services DEVELOPMENT • It slows down economic development in conflict affected areas • Continuous destruction of infrastructures and disincentive to investments that are needed for the job.

20. AUGUST 2008 • there were about 600 thousand displaced civilians that were extremely affected by the conflict. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center says “it was the biggest displacement transpired in Mindanao since • the fighting”.

21. IN ORDER TO STOP THE CONFLICT • CSO’s advocated a peaceful solution • The Bangsamoro People possess the right of self-determination .

22. CSO’s ADVOCATING The BANGSAMORO CIVIL SOCIETY was calling for referendum: • To be free and independent • To maintain the status quo of political relationship • To have a federal arrangement • To have a free association relationship, or any other power sharing arrangement.

23. CSO’s ADVOCATING The forefront of this advocacy are: • The Bangsamoro People’s Consultative Assembly (BPCA) • The Sultanate of Maguindanao • The Mindanao People’s Peace Movement (MPPM)

24. Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain Ancestral Domain of the Bangsamoro people flowing from such agreed facts on the territory, resources, and governance, and its concept principles, including the history of the Bangsamoro people.

25. Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain • Some Bangsamoro CSOs wanted the GRP-MILF to have an INTERIM AGREEMENT summarizing the “The Gains of the Peace Process” for last 13 years of talks

26. CSOs continue to Advocate & Put Forward Peaceful Resolution of Conflict • Support to the GRP-MILF Peace Process • Deployment of the Malaysian led International Monitoring Team • Internationalization of the Peace Process – Formation of the International Contact Group (ICG) • Formation of the Civilian Protection Component • Constitutional Change to Fit the Peace Agreement

27. The UN Supervise Referendum Advocacy Advocates • The Bangsamoro People Consultative Assembly • The Sultanate of Maguindanao • The Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement • Bangsamoro Women Assembly

28. CSOs on the Forefront of the MOA – AD of the GRP-MILF Peacetalks • Mindanao Alliance for Peace (MAP) • Mindanao People Caucus (MPC) • Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society

29. Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society - is a solidarity network of Bangsamoronon-government organizations, people's organizations (NGOs/POs) and other civil society organizations (CSOs). - To respond to the need of enhancing & capacitating the leaders & members .towards advocacy on human rights & justice, peace & conflict transformation, good governance & responsible leadership, development thru social empowerment & on Bangsamoro right to self-determination

30. Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society - the largest CSO of Moro NGOs & Pos . - Conferential body engenders cooperation, collaboration and coordination among Moro CSOs in facing challenges of creating a peaceful, pluralists and just society

31. The major program is the Peace, Governance and Human Rights (PGHR) Program. Center on the campaign & Advocacy namely: a. Human Rights & Justice (HRJ). b. Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation (PCT). c. Good Governance & Responsible Leadership (GG-RL). d. Research, Documentation, Publication & Information (RDPI). e. The Human Resource & Development (HRD). f. Disaster Management & Rehabilitation (DMR). g. Care for Peace.

32. In October 2007, CBCS questioned the Presidential Republic Act 9372 (Human Security Act of 2007 In February 2008, CBCS questioned the Balikatan US – RP Joint Military Exercises

33. CBCS Mindanao Peace Process • In May 2008, the CBCS was among the civil society groups which expressed concerns over the withdrawal of the Malaysian contingent from the international monitoring team which oversees the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). • In August 2008, when the Philippine Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the Philippine government and the MILF in Malaysia, the CBCS was one of the civil society groups which separately filed motions for reconsideration. • In October 2008, about 500 members of the CBCS staged a peaceful rally in Marawi City, calling on the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference to intervene and mediate to end the war in Mindanao and intercede for the just resolution of the Bangsamoro struggle for the right to self-determination.

34. CBCS ON ARMM & 2010 National & Local Elections • CBCS is advocating for the Electoral • Reform in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). • The CBCS was one of the civil society groups which closely monitored the 2010 National & Elections in May 21010

35. Main Calls/Messages • Peaceful Resolution of Conflict in Mindanao, they are supporting the GRP MILF Peace process. • For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to honor its commitment to peace; honor and respect the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain • Presumed President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino to avoid going back to square one on the GRP-MILF peacetalks but will do well be re-starting the talks from the July 29, 2009 four-point GRP-MILF Joint Statement

36. WHAT CIVIL SOCIETY IS OPPOSING? • Violent resolution of Conflict (Political Solution, Not Militarization Solution). • Constitutional framework of the peace process. (Government must creative enough in finding new formula, Think Out of the Box)

37. THANK YOU!!! “Peace” Wassalam!!!